Means and methods of joining conductors

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for organizing and joining conductors of multi-conductor cables such as communication cables. An elongated multiple connector structure having a series of open-channels, the entrance ends of which are intersected by guide channels, each having a releasable holder at one end so that a bundle of wires may be separated, organized and held in the channels in bridging relation to connection sockets. Plugs are forced into the sockets and press bridging portions of the wires therein to strip the insulation and establish permanent electrical connections. Each socket is provided with a sharp edge to shear the excess portions of the wires as the plugs are forced into the sockets.

United States Patent Faulconer [54] MEANS AND METHODS OF JOINING CONDUCTORS [72] Inventor: Harry A. Faulconer, 8328 Center Drive,

- Le Mesa, Calif. 92041 22 Filed: Sept. 23,1970

[21] Appl. No.: 74,907

Related Us. Application um [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 316, Jan. 2, 1970, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 676,002, Sept. 28, 1967, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 594,785, Nov. 16, 1966,

[15] 3,668,301 1 June 6, 1972 3,066,274 1 1/1962 Ellis, Jr ..l74/88 R X 3,112,147 11/1963 Pferd et al.. ..339/198RX 3,221,096 1 1/1965 Croghan ..l74/88 R 3,414,867 12/1968 Travis ..339/99 3,477,059 1 1/1969 Cole ..339/99 3,496,522 2/1970 Ellis, Jr. et al. ..339/99 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 637,004 5 1950 Great Britain ..339/95 R Primary Examiner-Darrell L. Clay Attorney-George J. Netter and Kendrick, Subkow and Kriegel [57] ABSTRACT electrical connections. Each socket is provided with a sharp edge to shear the excess portions of the wires as the plugs are forced into the sockets.

[7 Claim, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 6 m2 3,668,301

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1 MEANS-AND METHODS OF JOINING CONDUCTORS RELATED APPLICATIONS No.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 316, filed Jan. 2, 1970 for Means and Methods of Joining Conductors" now abandoned; which application is a continuation-in-part of a previous application ,Ser. No 676,002, filed Sept. 28, 1967 for Splicing Method and Apparatus, now abandoned; which latter application is a continuation-in-part of a previous application, Ser. No. 594,785, filed Nov. 16, 1966, for Splicing Method and Apparatus, now abandoned, but which was copending therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the addition of solder to the twisted portion, or, more recently,

the use of mechanical crimping devices, sometimes utilizing a sleeve which is slipped over the wires and their insulation, then crimped to pierce the insulation.

Each of the prior art methods is limited to joining individual pairs of wires, totally unorganized with respect to the cable as a whole. It is not uncommon to join communication cables having 2,400 pairs of wires, requiring 4,800 connections at each splice. Furthermore, cables of this size are 700 feet or less in length. Thus, the number of splices, the time consumed and resulting cost in soldering and covering each connection virtually eliminates this method. The crimping method is somewhat faster, but has the serious disadvantage, previously mentioned, of resulting in a totally unorganized splice, whichis further aggravated by the greater bulk contributed by the crimp connectors.

A still further disadvantage exists, particularly in joining high pair count cables requiring hundreds of connections, in that prior art methods are conducive to human error as to the proper sorting and selection of wires and pairs of wires to be joined, and errors so made are not readily detectable until subsequent testing of completed cables. This being too late for corrective measures, pairs affected by such errors must be abandoned, resulting in the costly waste referred to in the industry as dead copper, of which thousands of miles exist.

- Considering the individual connectors whether used in the field of communication, or in other fields such as the joining of conductors used to transmit electrical power, the time required to effect a connection and the dependability of the connection leaves much to be desired. Considering the joining of high pair count cables, prior art methods are conductive to human error. No means is provided by knovm prior art methods for timely detection or correction of such erroneous connections, which are common and costly. Considering a completed splice in a multiple conductor cable, prior art methods make no provision for the permanent and orderly organization of the wires, which shortcoming is increasingly serioils in view of the vast proliferation of installations where cables with large numbers of conductors must be interconnected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a solution to the problem of effecting a permanent and orderly organization of the wires and groups of wires in the splicing of high pair count and other multiple conductor cables, and provides a fast efficient means of effecting dependable connection between two or more wires, whether in the communications field or wherever wires are joined for transmission of electrical signals or electrical power, and is summarized in the following objects:

First, to provide a means and method of joining insulated conductors which is particularly applicable to the joining of communication cables which may contain hundreds of wires to be mated; more particularly, the means and method involves the use of elongated connector structures having means for holding a large number of wires for inspectionand relocation of improperly placed wires, whereupon permanent connections may be made, and wherein the wires and groups of wires are retained in organized arrays.

Second, to provide a means and method, as indicated in the preceding object, wherein excess lengths of the wires are automatically severed, as the wires are joined, without mechanically or electrically weakening the connection.

Third, to provide a means and method of joining wires wherein one or more wires are placed in bridging relation across the entrance end of a socket and forced by a plug into the socket while simultaneously stripping the wire to make electrical connection as well as severing the excess wire.

Fourth, to provide a means and method of joining insulated wires which may comprise independent units to effect a single connection between mating wires and may be dimensioned for the joining of small wires such as used in the communication field or for the joining of large wires such as used in the power transmitting field.

Fifth,to provide a means and method of joining insulated wires, as indicated in the preceding objects, wherein a body of insulating material having one or more sockets is used to receive the wires and a conductor plug strips the wires to complete connection therewith; and, wherein the sockets may receive or be lined with conductive material to increase the area of electrical contact or to provide means for electrical connection between sockets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple wire connector included in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof, taken from 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view thereof, taken from 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a multiple wire connector included in the present invention.

FIGS. 5-9 represent a cross sectional view of one of the cavities of FIG. 4, showing the splicing operation in sequence.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view, showing a modified form of a single connector unit.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view, showing a modified form of connector plug which also forms a secondary connector.

FIG. 12 is a schematic the joining of a bles.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, showing a modified form of a connector wherein releasable wire retaining means hold the wires in place during assembly and inspection.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view, similar to FIG. 12, showing a further step in the joining of a pair of multiple conductor, multiple bundle cables.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatical front view, illustrating a further step in the joining of a pair of multiple conductor, multiple bundle cables.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatical view, showing a completed connection between a pair of multiple conductor, multiple bundle cables.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatical view, showing the manner of connection to a pair of cables located side-by-side.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatical view, showing a manner of connection between three cables.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of a further modification of the multiple wire connector.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary front view as seen from 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a transverse view of FIG. 19.

perspective view, illustrating a step in pair of multiple conductor, multiple bundle cathereof, taken through 21-21 DESCRIPTION OF'A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a terminal insulating block 11 has a plurality of tapered cavities or sockets 12. Each tapered cavity 12 has a pair of opposite converging walls 13 which are lined with a conductive strip 14. The conductive strip 14 may merely line two converging sides of the cavity, or be in the form of a rectangular cross sectioned tapered socket orfunnel, as indicated by 16, and line all four sides of the cavities 12.

Extensions 17 of insulative terminal block 11 form convenient guides and dividers between each cavity for the placement of a pair of conductors 18 in the open channel or trough formed therebetween. Conductive inserts 19 are dimensioned for a snug fit within cavities 12 and have a plurality of splines on opposite faces 21 and 22. Conductor pairs 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 andi29 are shown after the splicing operation has been completed. Conductor pair 18, with a corresponding insert 19, is shown just prior to the completion of an electrical splice.

A plurality of slots 43 are provided in each extension 17 along with angled'slots 41 and 42 in each end of insulating block 11. These slots facilitate the bending of the entire terminal block after the splicing operation is completed. Angled slots 41 and 42 can be utilized for tying the terminal strip in arcuate configuration surrounding a bundle of conductors or cable. A string 44 is shown positioned within angled slot 41 for cooperation with angled slot 42 after the terminal block is bent.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross section along lines 2-2 is shown with insert 19 in a position just prior to a splice being made in spatial relationship with a conductor 32 having an insulative, sleeve 33 thereon. The conductor 32 is placed over tapered cavity 12 having conductive strips 14 lining a pair of converging walls 13 in insulative terminal block 11. One extension 17 is shown rising above conductor 32.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 is shown which is essentially the same as FIG. 2 with "the exception that the splicing operation has been completed. Here, an individual conductor 34, with an insulative sleeve 36, is shown within tapered cavity 12 of insulative terminal block 11. Insert 19 has driven conductor 34 into the tapered cavity 12 and in electrical contact with conductive strips 14 which line converging walls 13 of tapered recess 12. As can be seen the conductive block, together with the conductive strips 14, have been displaced at 37 from the pressure of insert 19 thereon. insulative sleeve 36 has been destroyed in the lower regions of the tapered recess 12, causing an electrical contact between conductor 34 and conductive insert 19.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modification of the terminal block splice of FIG. 1 is shown utilizing a relatively rigid insulative terminal block 51, having a plurality of tapered cavities 52. Each of the tapered cavities 52 has a forward shearing edge (not shown) terminating the top front edge of each cavity 52. Each cavity has an associated lead recess 53 for sorting and dressing a plurality of leads for the future insertion of inserts 54. It is also to be noted that each cavity 52 comprising a wire connection location is associated with a separate open-faced channel 52 formed by upstanding portions of 51. A back ledge 56 forms a convenient mounting extension for mounting the insulative strip in proximity to a pair of multiconductor cables, for example, being spliced.

Insert 54 has an annular recess 57 and an annular extension 58 for effecting a parting of the insulation of electrical leads 59 within cavities 52. In this embodiment, the cavities or sockets 52 each form a conical section for cooperation with cylindrical inserts 54. If required, selected cavities may be electrically connected; for example, a shorting bar 61 is shown in proximity with three of the cavities 52 for electrically shorting all conductors within these cavities.

Referring to FIGS. -9, a sequential progression of an insertion of insert 54 into a cavity 52 carrying with it electrical conductor 62 having an insulative sleeve 63 is shown. Again, insert 54 has an annular recess 57 and an annular extension 58. Cavity 52 has a shearingedge 55 on one side thereof; however, the opposite edge is rounded to form a non-shearing edge 550. As the insert 54 is forced into the cavity 52, the insulated wire or conductor 62 is drawn and folded over the non-shearing edge 55a, while the shearing edge 55 cooperates with the insert 54 to shear the excess portion of the wire. As the insert 54 is forced further into the socket 52, the lower edge of the insert adjacent the non-shearing edge cuts through the insulation and continues to draw the wire downwardly into the socket and the annular extension or rib 58 presses into the bare wire. By reason of the folded condition of the wire at 55a and the pressure contact at 58, excessive tension applied to the wire will cause the wire to fail at some point prior to the connector rather than at the connector itself.

Referring to FIG. 10, here the connector is indicated as a generally cylindrical member 81, having a single cavity or socket 52. Also, a spherical insert 54a is indicated. The spherical insert 54a cooperates with the shearing edge 55 as previously described.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a conductive insert 83, which is, externally, similar to the insert 54 in having an annular recess 84 and rib 86 corresponding to the recess 57 and rib 58. The insert 83 is sufficiently large to have a socket 87 corresponding to the socket 52, and within which an insert 54 can be received in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5-9.

Referring to FIG. 12, a pair of multi-conductor cables 64 and 66 are shown in the process of being spliced. Multi-conductor cable 64 has groups of conductors 67, 68 and 69. Similarly, multi-conductor cable 66 has groups of conductors 71, 72 and 73. An insulative terminal block 51 is shown mounted by mounting brackets 74, 76 and 77 to multi-conductor cables 64 and 66. Multi-conductor cables 64 and 66 are mounted as shown in phantom by straps 78 and 79 to a surface 80.

Referring to FIG. 13, one group of conductors 69 is shown being passed through a holding bar 82 with the conductors fanned out and individually received in the channels or recesses 53 in bridging relation to the sockets 52 together with similarly placed individual conductors from group 73 (FIG. 12) ready for a completion of the connection.

Also shown in FIG. 13 at the entering side of the terminal block 51 is a row of upwardly extending wire retainers 100 forming downwardly diverging slots 101 aligned with the recesses 53. Alternate retainers extend above the other retainers, as indicated by 102, so that a wire may be laid across the end of a slot retainer and slipped sidewise into and forced into the entrance end of the slot.

Specifically, the upstanding retainers 100 and 102 serve, first, to guide the cable wires during initial emplacement in preselected connection locations, that is, within given channels or recesses 53; and, second, to frictionally engage the mated wires after emplacement and maintain them with the predetermined channels while effecting connection. This retention, which is also aided by frictional contact of the wires with the walls defining the open channels 53, although more than sufficient for holding mated wires within selected connection locations while other wires are being similarly located and connected, still permits ready removal of wires and emplacement in other connection locations in case of error.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4, l2 and 13, the wires from, for example, group or bundle 69 are placed in the grooves or recesses 53 extending generally transversely of the block 51 and the sockets 52. Also, at this time the wires are removably held, as indicated in FIG. 13, within the channels or recesses 53, by the confining action of retainers 100. During or following placement of the wires, if any errors are noted, the wires are changed accordingly. After the wires from one group or bundle have been placed, the wires from another group or bundle, for example 73, are placed in mating relation to the wires of the first bundle, extending transversely of 51 with each wire located at a predetermined wire connection location, and if any errors in placement occur, proper relocation is made.

inserts 54 are forced in place. This may be done individually orcollectively by suitable inserting andpressing tools having magazines to carry and dispense the inserts. Such tools are not included in the present invention.

Exemplary of such tools is that described in copending United States patent application Ser. No. 761,097, entitled MAGAZINE-EQUIPPED SLUG-DRIVING TOOL, by Harry A. Faulconer and Douglas Arnold, filed Sept. 20, 1968.

Referring to FIG. 14, conductor groups or bundles 69 and 73 of multi-conductor cables 64 and 66, respectively, are shown joined together within an insulative terminal strip 51 and moved aside so that conductor groups or bundles such as 68 and 72 are shown as held by the guide bars 82 and 85, respectively, and the wires placed in another insulative terminal strip 51; the second terminal strip being shown completed ready for alignment adjacent to the first terminal strip. A plurality of individually sheared conductors 59 is shown illustrating the completion of the splice.

Referring to FIG. 15, the completed terminal strips 51 tend to occupy an essentially parallel relationship with each other and the cables being joined, with the wires, indicated collectively, curving laterally and converging to their respective cable bundles. After connection between the cables is made, the terminal strips and wires are pressed together into a compact bundle generally colinear with the cables and wrapped with a suitable covering 103, as indicated in FIG. 16.

While usually the cables 64 and 66 are located in coaxial relation, this need not be the case for they may be in angular or offset relation, or may be side-by-side, as indicated in FIG. it may be desirable to provide lateral branches of cable bundles, as indicated by 67a in FIG. 18. In this case, three wires are joined in each socket or selected sockets instead of a pair of wires.

Referring to FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, the construction illustrated is similar to the constructions shown in FIGS. 4 through 9 and FIG. 13, and corresponding parts are indicated by'the same reference numerals. In this construction, the ledge 56 supports a body 104 of angular cross section which supports the wire retainers 100. It is desirable that the wire retainers be made of different plastic material than the terminal strip or body 51 for the reason the body 51 should be formed of relatively strong plastic in order to provide a dependable shearing edge 55, even though each shearing edge is used only once. Also, the wire retainers may be formed of relatively soft or yieldable plastic whichdeforms to admit the wires or yield or combine both properties. It is further pointed out that the shearing edge is slightly lower than the back edge of the insert which permits the wire to be folded prior to shearing to ensure that the wire is drawn into the socket so as to effect a positive and permanent mechanical binding within cavity 52.

The method of joining multiple conductor cables involves essentially the following steps or groups thereof:

The cables are arranged in fixed spaced relation with the bundles of wires extending a sufficient distance that they overlap. The terminal body supporting framework is secured with respect to the cables and a terminal body is clamped or otherwise secured in position so that wires from the bundles of both cables may be brought to and beyond the terminal body.

A single bundle from one of the cables is selected and the wires separated or fanned out so that they may be respectively placed in the retainer slots 101' and laid in the channels 53, bridging the associated sockets 52 and thereby extending generally transversely of the terminal block 51. As the wires are placed and on completion of placement, the wires are inspected and appropriate correction made if needed. Next, a mating bundle from the other cable is selected, the wires separated and mated with the first set of wires. Again inspection and appropriate correction is made if needed. If connection is to be made to a third cable, as shown in FIG. 18, the steps are again repeated for that cable.

After determination that the wires are properly placed and mated, the inserts or plugs are forced in the corresponding sockets. As indicated, previously, a tool, not included in the present invention, is employed. Preferably, such tool includes a magazine for carrying a plurality of inserts or plugsand jaws which align the plugs with corresponding sockets either simulbetween the terminal strips as they are formed of insulation material.

The present invention has its greatest utility in establishing electrical connection'between select wires of two or more sets of wires or multi-wire cables where the number of wires or conductors in each set or cable ranges from, say, eight (FIG. 1) to many times that number. That is, the technique of this individual connection locations-on a connector terminal'where the wires are selected from multi-wire cables which can comprise individually literally hundreds of wires.

A still further important aspect of the subject invention is its applicability to themaking of in-service" connections. For example, two or more wires that are in use, and which it is desiredto-interconnect, can be located in, say, a channel 53 of a terminal block 51 and connected together in the manner tion ability, vnot requiring lengthy interruption of service is important particularly when working with communication circuits since it is a'baslc requirement there that when a line is to be taken out of service, users must be notified ahead of time. However, the time required to connect such in-service lines by the present invention is measured in the millisecond range and is, therefore, so short that no prior notification or other special measures have to be taken.

of substantially different size.

It is customary to arrange the wires of communication cadistinctively colored; one color to separate or split a wire pair from one cable and join the wires to a pair of split wires from the other cable by means of two separate connectors.

ment can be accomplished rapidly, thereby materially reducing the time require to effect the multiple connections between cables. Furthermore, the chance of error is minimal.

There is provided, therefore, rn accordance with the pracwhere the final connection apparatus itself occupies a relatively small volume such that the additional space required for each connection is minimal.

- What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connection of selected pairs of insulated wires, comprising:

a body member of non-conductive material having walls defining a plurality of sockets arranged side-by-side; each of said sockets receiving a portion of at least one of said I insulated wires; said body member including wire guide means'initially positioning at least one of. said wires in bridging relation across and beyond the entrance end of one of said sockets;

I a force transfer member engaging the bridging portion of each said wire and pressing said portion of said wire against one of said socket-defining walls and stripping a po rtion of the insulation from said fwire;

means in, each said socket shearing that portion of said wire extending beyond the entrance end of said socket as said force transfer member engages and presses said portion of said wires; and

conductive material in each said socket establishing electrical contact with said wire portion therein.

' 2. An electrical connecting means, as defined in claim 1,

wherein: i

the body member is flexible to permit shaping the'body member in a circle to place the sockets in circumferential relation.

3. An electrical connecting means, as defined in claim 1,

which further comprises;

electrical connecting means disposed in selected sockets and extending therebetween effecting electrical interconnection therebetween. v

4. A splicing apparatus comprising:

an insulative terminal strip having a plurality of tapered cavities; I

a plurality of conductors received by the cavities;

an insert snugly received by each cavity to secure a conductor therein; and

each of the cavities including 'a shearing edge on one side thereof whereby with the insertion of the corresponding insert, one end of each conductor in the cavity is sheared.

5. A splicing apparatus, as defined in claim 4, which further comprises: I I

at least one conductive bridge extending between selected cavities.

6. A splicing apparatus comprising:

an insulative terminal strip having a plurality of cavities;

a plurality of conductors received by the cavities;

an insert snugly received by each of the cavities, and electrically connected to the conductors therein;

means forming at least one slot adjacent each of the cavities for holding at least'one conductor in bridging relation to the corresponding cavity prior to receiving the corresponding insert; and

shearing means at one side of each cavity for severing the excess length of each conductor.

7. A method of joining cables held in fixed relation to each other and having bundles of wires to be electrically connected and wherein there are provided a plurality of elongated multiple connector structures, each having a row of wire retention channels and an adjacent row of connector elements to effect permanent connections between the wires, the method characterized by:

placing a connector structure in position for receiving mating wires from corresponding bundles; selecting a first bundle of wires from one of the cables,

separating the wires, and then inserting the wires in retention channels;

inspecting the wires for error of placement while held by the retention channels and shifting wires to correct noted errors;

selecting a second bundle to wires from another cable, separating the wires, then inserting the wires of the second bundle in retention channels and in mating relation to wires from the first bundle;

inspecting the wires from the second bundle for error in placement while held by the retention channels and shifting wires to correct noted errors; and

securing and electrically connecting the mating wires while held by the retention channels.

8. A method, as defined in claim 7, which is further characterized by:

simultaneously, with completion of the electrical connection, severing the mating wires beyond their regions of electrical connection.

9. A method, as defined in claim 7, which is further characterized by:

repeating the steps of joining mating of corresponding bundles to connector structures;

arranging the completed connector structures in essentially parallel relation; and

pressing the connector structures radially causing the wires and connector structures to be compressed into a composite bundle.

10. A method of joining wires from a pair of wirebundles,

characterized by: v

releasably retaining the wires from one of the bundles in fixed separated relation to each other for inspection for error of placement, and rearranging the wires noted to be misplaced;

releasably retaining the wires from the other bundle in fixed separated relation to each other for electrical connection to corresponding previously retained wires and for inspection for error of placement, and rearranging the wires noted to be misplaced;

securing the mating wires to a common insulative support while simultaneously effecting electrical connection therebetween;

and shearing excess lengths of wires simultaneously with securing the mating wires.

11. In an electrical connection of one or more insulated electrical wires, the improvement comprising:

an insulative body member; Q I

a plurality of walls on said body member defining a plurality of outwardly opening cavities, each of said cavities receiving an end portion of at least one of said insulated electrical wires lying thereacross; j

said walls including insulation piercing means and wire severance means for respectively piercing the insulation on and severing the end portion of said at least one insulated electrical wire; i

and a force transfer member fittingly received within each of said cavities forcing the end portion of said at least one insulated electrical wire into each cavity against said piercing means and against said severance means piercing the insulation on the said at least one wire and severing the terminal end portion thereof.

12. An electrical connecting means, comprising:

a body means having at least a pair of open channels, each of said channels receiving the end portion of an insulated wire;

an electrical conductor extending between the channels;

wire retaining means received within each channel engaging the wire therein;

insulation piercing means effecting an electrical connection between each wire and the electrical conductor;

wire severing means positioned to sever each wire at a point spaced from each insulation piercing means;

said insulation piercing means and said wire severing means including elements carried by the body means and the retaining means, the elements being movable toward each other on corresponding relative movement of the body means and retaining means to effect simultaneous, electrical connection between said wire and the electrical conductor, and severance of the excess end portion of said wire. 13. An electrical connecting means, comprising:

an elongated body member'having a series of juxtaposed ing means including portionsincorporated in the body member and the wire retaining means and essentially simultaneously effecting electrical contact with said wire and severing the excess portion of the wire, at least a portion of the wirepenetrating means being conductive; and conductive means extending between at least two of said channels and establishing electrical connection between said wires in said channels. 14. In anelectrical connector, the improvement comprising: an elongated body member; v i a peripheral wall in said body member defining an outwardly opening socket receiving the end portion of an insulated electrical wire; i said peripheral wall of said socket including insulation piercing means and wire severance means which pierce the insulation on said wire and sever the end portion of said wire forced into said socket; and t a force transfer member engaginga portion of-said electrica'l wire when said wire is extending across said socket to force a portion of the wire into said socket, pierce the insulation on the wire, and sever the terminal end portion of the wire. i I 15. In a method of electrically connecting several combina tions of insulated wires, the improvement comprising: i

a. laying the respective insulated wires of the several combinations transversely across an elongated body member adapted to receive and hold the respective wires of each of the combinations in separate wire receiving locations containing wire severing means and disposed in spaced parallel relationship along said body member;

b. simultaneously pressing together in forced relationship said several combinations of insulated wires and separate insulation piercing and wire connecting means positioned contiguously with said wire-receiving locations of said elongated body member, and

c. in the same pressing operation of (b), simultaneously piercing insulation, connecting together each combination of wires'of said several combinations, and severing each of said wires beyond the connection.

16. An electrical connector block for electrically connecting selected pairs of insulated wires from separate bundles of such wires, comprising:

an elongated base of non-conductive material; said base having an entrance side edge and a back side edge substantially parallel to said entrance side edge;

upstanding entrance wall means on said base adjacent said entrance side edge defining a plurality of generally parallel wire-entrance channels;

upstanding exit wall means on said base adjacent said back side edge defining'a plurality of generally parallel wireexit channels in substantial alignment with said wire-entrance channels;

means defining a plurality of sockets in said base, one socket being located between and substantially'aligned with one of said wire-entrance channels and one of said wire-exit channels; 7

each of said socket-defining means comprising a substantially continuous forced into each of said sockets; and

non-conductive material electrically insulating each ad jacent pair of said sockets from one another.

17. An electrical connection of selected pairs of insulated electrical wires from separate bundles of such wires, comprising:

an elongated body member having an entrance side edge and a back side edge substantially parallel to and spaced from said entrance side edge; I

inner peripheral wall means defining a plurality of spaced openings in said body member, said openings being aligned in a row between said entrance side edge and said back side edge and substantially parallel to said side edges;

a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel upstanding wall means adjacent said entrance side edge of said body member; said upstanding wall means defining a plurality of upwardly opening guide channels; each of said guide channels being substantially aligned with one of said openings;

a plurality of insulated electrical wires extending through said guide channels and into said openings; each of said having an intermediate portion extending through one of said guide channels, and an end portion extending into said opening aligned with said guide channel; a

force transfer means pressingly engaging the end portion of each said insulated electrical wire and forcing said end portion into one of said openings;

' insulation piercing means forming a component of said inner peripheral wall of each of said openings; said piercing means piercing the insulation on said end portions of said wires forced into said openings by said force transfer means;

wire severance means forming a component of said inner peripheral wall of each of said openings; said severance means severing the terminal end portions of said insulated wires forced into said openings by said force transfer means;

said wire severance means within the peripheral wall of each said opening being spaced from said insulation piercing means within the peripheral wall of each said opening; and

conductor means establishing electrical connection between selected pairs of said wires in said openings. 

1. An electrical connection of selected pairs of insulated wires, comprising: a body member of non-conductive material having walls defining a plurality of sockets arranged side-by-side; each of said sockets receiving a portion of at least one of said insulated wires; said body member including wire guide means initially positioning at least one of said wires in bridging relation across and beyond the entrance end of one of said sockets; a force transfer member engaging the bridging portion of each said wire and pressing said portion of said wire against one of said socket-defining walls and stripping a portion of the insulation from said wire; means in each said socket shearing that portion of said wire extending beyond the entrance end of said socket as said force transfer member engages and presses said portion of said wires; and conductive material in each said socket establishing electrical contact with said wire portion therein.
 2. An electrical connecting Means, as defined in claim 1, wherein: the body member is flexible to permit shaping the body member in a circle to place the sockets in circumferential relation.
 3. An electrical connecting means, as defined in claim 1, which further comprises: electrical connecting means disposed in selected sockets and extending therebetween effecting electrical interconnection therebetween.
 4. A splicing apparatus comprising: an insulative terminal strip having a plurality of tapered cavities; a plurality of conductors received by the cavities; an insert snugly received by each cavity to secure a conductor therein; and each of the cavities including a shearing edge on one side thereof whereby with the insertion of the corresponding insert, one end of each conductor in the cavity is sheared.
 5. A splicing apparatus, as defined in claim 4, which further comprises: at least one conductive bridge extending between selected cavities.
 6. A splicing apparatus comprising: an insulative terminal strip having a plurality of cavities; a plurality of conductors received by the cavities; an insert snugly received by each of the cavities, and electrically connected to the conductors therein; means forming at least one slot adjacent each of the cavities for holding at least one conductor in bridging relation to the corresponding cavity prior to receiving the corresponding insert; and shearing means at one side of each cavity for severing the excess length of each conductor.
 7. A method of joining cables held in fixed relation to each other and having bundles of wires to be electrically connected and wherein there are provided a plurality of elongated multiple connector structures, each having a row of wire retention channels and an adjacent row of connector elements to effect permanent connections between the wires, the method characterized by: placing a connector structure in position for receiving mating wires from corresponding bundles; selecting a first bundle of wires from one of the cables, separating the wires, and then inserting the wires in retention channels; inspecting the wires for error of placement while held by the retention channels and shifting wires to correct noted errors; selecting a second bundle to wires from another cable, separating the wires, then inserting the wires of the second bundle in retention channels and in mating relation to wires from the first bundle; inspecting the wires from the second bundle for error in placement while held by the retention channels and shifting wires to correct noted errors; and securing and electrically connecting the mating wires while held by the retention channels.
 8. A method, as defined in claim 7, which is further characterized by: simultaneously, with completion of the electrical connection, severing the mating wires beyond their regions of electrical connection.
 9. A method, as defined in claim 7, which is further characterized by: repeating the steps of joining mating of corresponding bundles to connector structures; arranging the completed connector structures in essentially parallel relation; and pressing the connector structures radially causing the wires and connector structures to be compressed into a composite bundle.
 10. A method of joining wires from a pair of wire bundles, characterized by: releasably retaining the wires from one of the bundles in fixed separated relation to each other for inspection for error of placement, and rearranging the wires noted to be misplaced; releasably retaining the wires from the other bundle in fixed separated relation to each other for electrical connection to corresponding previously retained wires and for inspection for error of placement, and rearranging the wires noted to be misplaced; securing the mating wires to a common insulative support while simultaneously effecting electrical connection therebetween; and shearing excEss lengths of wires simultaneously with securing the mating wires.
 11. In an electrical connection of one or more insulated electrical wires, the improvement comprising: an insulative body member; a plurality of walls on said body member defining a plurality of outwardly opening cavities, each of said cavities receiving an end portion of at least one of said insulated electrical wires lying thereacross; said walls including insulation piercing means and wire severance means for respectively piercing the insulation on and severing the end portion of said at least one insulated electrical wire; and a force transfer member fittingly received within each of said cavities forcing the end portion of said at least one insulated electrical wire into each cavity against said piercing means and against said severance means piercing the insulation on the said at least one wire and severing the terminal end portion thereof.
 12. An electrical connecting means, comprising: a body means having at least a pair of open channels, each of said channels receiving the end portion of an insulated wire; an electrical conductor extending between the channels; wire retaining means received within each channel engaging the wire therein; insulation piercing means effecting an electrical connection between each wire and the electrical conductor; wire severing means positioned to sever each wire at a point spaced from each insulation piercing means; said insulation piercing means and said wire severing means including elements carried by the body means and the retaining means, the elements being movable toward each other on corresponding relative movement of the body means and retaining means to effect simultaneous, electrical connection between said wire and the electrical conductor, and severance of the excess end portion of said wire.
 13. An electrical connecting means, comprising: an elongated body member having a series of juxtaposed channels, each having an open lateral side receiving the end portions of at least one insulated wire; wire retaining means received in each channel; wire insulation penetrating means penetrating the insulation on the wire in each channel to provide an electrical contact therewith; and wire severing means cutting the excess portion of the wire at a location spaced from said wire insulation penetrating means; said wire insulation penetrating means and said wire severing means including portions incorporated in the body member and the wire retaining means and essentially simultaneously effecting electrical contact with said wire and severing the excess portion of the wire, at least a portion of the wire penetrating means being conductive; and conductive means extending between at least two of said channels and establishing electrical connection between said wires in said channels.
 14. In an electrical connector, the improvement comprising: an elongated body member; a peripheral wall in said body member defining an outwardly opening socket receiving the end portion of an insulated electrical wire; said peripheral wall of said socket including insulation piercing means and wire severance means which pierce the insulation on said wire and sever the end portion of said wire forced into said socket; and a force transfer member engaging a portion of said electrical wire when said wire is extending across said socket to force a portion of the wire into said socket, pierce the insulation on the wire, and sever the terminal end portion of the wire.
 15. In a method of electrically connecting several combinations of insulated wires, the improvement comprising: a. laying the respective insulated wires of the several combinations transversely across an elongated body member adapted to receive and hold the respective wires of each of the combinations in separate wire-receiving locations containing wire severing means and disposed in spaced parallel relationsHip along said body member; b. simultaneously pressing together in forced relationship said several combinations of insulated wires and separate insulation piercing and wire connecting means positioned contiguously with said wire-receiving locations of said elongated body member, and c. in the same pressing operation of (b), simultaneously piercing insulation, connecting together each combination of wires of said several combinations, and severing each of said wires beyond the connection.
 16. An electrical connector block for electrically connecting selected pairs of insulated wires from separate bundles of such wires, comprising: an elongated base of non-conductive material; said base having an entrance side edge and a back side edge substantially parallel to said entrance side edge; upstanding entrance wall means on said base adjacent said entrance side edge defining a plurality of generally parallel wire-entrance channels; upstanding exit wall means on said base adjacent said back side edge defining a plurality of generally parallel wire-exit channels in substantial alignment with said wire-entrance channels; means defining a plurality of sockets in said base, one socket being located between and substantially aligned with one of said wire-entrance channels and one of said wire-exit channels; each of said socket-defining means comprising a substantially continuous inner peripheral wall; said inner peripheral wall including wire insulation piercing means and wire severing means; said wire severing means including a relatively sharp cutting edge spaced from said insulation piercing means; said wire insulation piercing means and said wire severing means being adapted to cooperate with a force transfer member to simultaneously pierce the insulation and sever the terminal end portion of a wire forced into each of said sockets; and non-conductive material electrically insulating each adjacent pair of said sockets from one another.
 17. An electrical connection of selected pairs of insulated electrical wires from separate bundles of such wires, comprising: an elongated body member having an entrance side edge and a back side edge substantially parallel to and spaced from said entrance side edge; inner peripheral wall means defining a plurality of spaced openings in said body member, said openings being aligned in a row between said entrance side edge and said back side edge and substantially parallel to said side edges; a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel upstanding wall means adjacent said entrance side edge of said body member; said upstanding wall means defining a plurality of upwardly opening guide channels; each of said guide channels being substantially aligned with one of said openings; a plurality of insulated electrical wires extending through said guide channels and into said openings; each of said insulated electrical wires having an intermediate portion extending through one of said guide channels, and an end portion extending into said opening aligned with said guide channel; force transfer means pressingly engaging the end portion of each said insulated electrical wire and forcing said end portion into one of said openings; insulation piercing means forming a component of said inner peripheral wall of each of said openings; said piercing means piercing the insulation on said end portions of said wires forced into said openings by said force transfer means; wire severance means forming a component of said inner peripheral wall of each of said openings; said severance means severing the terminal end portions of said insulated wires forced into said openings by said force transfer means; said wire severance means within the peripheral wall of each said opening being spaced from said insulation piercing means within the peripheral wall of each said opening; and conductor means establishing electrical connection between selected pairs of said wires in said openings. 